Operation console enabling appropriate selection of operational mode by the user, electronic device and image processing apparatus provided with the operation console, and method of displaying information on the operation console

ABSTRACT

In order to enable appropriate selection of one operational mode from a plurality of operational modes by the user, on a home screen image allowing selection of an operational mode of an image forming apparatus, displayed are: an icon for selecting a copy mode related to image formation at the center; an icon for selecting a FAX mode with priority as a frequently selected mode related to image transmission; and icons allowing direct selection of other operational modes related to image transmission. On a condition setting screen image of a mode related to image transmission, a software button or buttons allowing transition to another mode related to image transmission are displayed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)on Patent Application No. 2010-077030 filed in Japan on Mar. 30, 2010,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an operation console displayinginformation to the user and operated by the user based on theinformation. More specifically, the present invention relates to anoperation console that prevents confusion of the user even ifconfiguration of the operation console for selecting an operational modeis changed in an electronic device having a plurality of operationalmodes. The present invention also relates to an electronic device and animage processing apparatus provided with such an operation console, aswell as to a method of displaying information on the operation console.

2. Description of the Background Art

As one type of image processing apparatuses as electronic equipment,image forming apparatuses forming images on recording paper (typically,copy machines) are introduced to many places of business (companies andoffices). In such a place of business, it has become increasingly commonto connect an image forming apparatus having a printer function or acopy function to a network, to allow use (sharing) by a plurality ofusers. A multifunction peripheral (MFP) as one type of such imageforming apparatuses has a plurality of basic operational modes such as acopy mode, a facsimile mode (hereinafter “facsimile” may also be denotedas FAX or fax), a network-supported printer mode and a scanner mode. Insuch an image forming apparatus, each user selects an operational modeand sets a function of duplex (two-sided) printing or collectiveprinting (such as 2-in-1 by which two pages of an original document areprinted on one sheet, or 4-in-1 by which four pages of an originaldocument are printed on one sheet), whereby images are formed on sheetsof paper in a desired manner. Appropriate combinations of thesefunctions come to be more frequently used.

When a user uses such an image forming apparatus, for example, the userinputs image data in the scanner mode, performs image processing (suchas collection) by inputting various instructions through an operationpanel, and prints the results on a sheet of recording paper. In such asituation, the operation panel, serving as an operation and displayunit, functions as an interface between the image forming apparatus andthe user. Generally, on the operation panel, a screen image for settingfunctions in each operational mode is displayed, so that the user caneasily set various functions. Further, while a job is being executed,job progress status may be displayed, to allow the user to easily graspthe progress status of the job. In the printer mode executed uponreception of data from an external device, the job progress status maybe displayed in accordance with the data received from the externaldevice as a source.

Recently, a touch-panel display having a touch-panel formed on a liquidcrystal panel (display panel) comes to be increasingly used as such anoperation panel. By way of example, items (software buttons) allowingselection of an operational mode of the image forming apparatus aredisplayed on the touch-panel display, the user viewing the displaypresses a position of an item displayed on the touch-panel display(presses a software button), and the operational mode is set.

Such a touch-panel display having both the display and operationfunctions is advantageous in that it eliminates the necessity ofproviding a display unit and an operation unit separately. Further, itattracts attention recently since a command can be selectedadvantageously in accordance with the user's sense, when it is adaptedsuch that a command can be selected in accordance with a trajectory ofpressing of the touch-panel display by the user's finger. Examples ofsuch command selection using finger trajectory include the following.

When a plurality of pages are displayed on the touch-panel display asprint previews, the following operations may be performed. By a useroperation of lightly tapping twice (hereinafter also referred to asdouble-tapping) a position of a certain page displayed as a preview, acommand to display the page in an enlarged or reduced size can beselected. By a user operation trajectory of expanding a space betweentwo fingers (hereinafter also referred to as pinch-out or pinch-open), acommand to display the page in an enlarged size can be selected, and bya user operation trajectory of reducing a space between the two fingers(hereinafter also referred to as pinch-in or pinch-close), a command todisplay the page in a reduced size can be selected. In the following,these operations are denoted as gesture operations. The gestureoperations are not limited to the above, and may include: tapping, orlightly touching an item displayed on the touch-panel display; dragging,or sliding an item with a finger; flicking, or lightly sweeping an itemto scroll; and pinching with two fingers. It is noted that, strictlyspeaking, (different from other gesture operations) tapping anddouble-tapping are not determined by detecting the user operationtrajectory on the touch-panel display (not the trajectory but a positionis detected). Considering the relation to other gesture operations, inthe present specification, the gesture operation generally refers to anoperation for detecting a user request based on the operation trajectoryof the user to the touch-panel display, including tapping and doubletapping.

In the present invention, an operation other than the gesture operationsas such will be described as a touch operation. The touch operationmeans an operation of detecting a user's request based on the positionof operation by the user on the touch-panel display. A representativeexample of the touch operation is an operation of the user pressing aposition of an item (pressing a software button) displayed on thetouch-panel display.

In an MFP provided with a touch-panel display allowing both touchoperation and gesture operation, many pieces of information intended forthe user are displayed on the touch-panel display. Such an MFP has aplurality of basic operational modes as described above, and it isnecessary for the user to select one operational mode from the pluralityof operational modes. Such a user selection is input by touching asoftware button displayed on the touch-panel display.

By way of example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-308831(hereinafter referred to as '831 Reference) discloses an image formingapparatus including a plurality of processing functions (copy function,facsimile function, scanner function, electronic mail function, etc.),that improves user operability by controlling screen image transitions.

The image forming apparatus includes: a display unit, displaying a menuscreen image allowing selection of any of the plurality of processingfunctions, or a function instruction screen image allowing execution ofa processing function; an operation unit, receiving a user operationrelated to the selected processing function, based on the screen imagedisplayed on the display unit; a detection unit detecting absence of anyoperation, related to the selected processing function, on the operationunit for a prescribed time period; and a control unit, returning, if itis detected by the detecting unit that no operation is done for theprescribed time period, the screen image on the display unit to aninitial display of the function instruction screen image related to theselected processing function.

The image forming apparatus is controlled such that, if no operation isdone by the operation unit for a prescribed time period, the detectingunit detects the absence of operation, the function instruction screenimage related to the processing function displayed on the display unitis reset, and the display is returned to the initial screen image of thefunction instruction screen image. Therefore, as an automatic resetprocess that takes place after the lapse of the prescribed time period,the initial screen image corresponding to the function that has beenselected immediately before is resumed. Therefore, when the user is toproceed to the next process, the process function can readily beexecuted. The menu screen image shown in FIG. 3(a) of '831 Reference isdisplayed on the touch-panel display. On the menu screen image, softwarebuttons for switching among copy function, facsimile function, scannerfunction (mail transmission) and scanner function (box storage) aredisplayed. In the image forming apparatus, if a user wishes to haveimage data obtained by scanning a document sent by facsimile, he/shetouches “FAX” button, if the user wishes to have the image datatransmitted by mail, he/she touches “SCANNER (MAIL TRANSMISSION)”button, and if the user wishes to have the image data transmitted to aprescribed storage device, he/she touches “SCANNER FUNCTION (BOXSTORAGE)” button. In this manner, an operational mode can directly beselected from the menu screen image displayed on the image formingapparatus. It is expected that in future image forming apparatuses,direct selection of operational modes by touching software buttonsdisplayed on the menu screen image will be more popular.

On the other hand, some image forming apparatuses are provided withhardware buttons for selecting operational modes, rather than thesoftware buttons displayed on the touch-panel display for selectingoperational modes. By way of example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.2001-154773 (hereinafter referred to as '773 Reference) discloses animage forming apparatus provided with hardware buttons such as functionselection keys for selecting copy function, printer function andfacsimile function, and a job status key instructing selective displayof current status of image forming job.

As can be seen from FIG. 4 of '773 Reference, an operation panel of theimage forming apparatus includes hardware buttons of “PRINT,” “FAX,”“COPY” and “JOB STATUS.” In the image forming apparatus disclosed in'773 Reference, if a user wishes to have the image data obtained byscanning a document sent by facsimile, he/she presses the “FAX” button.If the user wishes to have the image data sent by mail, he/she pressesthe “FAX” button, thereafter, presses an “EMAIL ADDRESS” button on ascreen image shown in FIG. 18 of this reference, and inputs an address.In this manner, the hardware button of “FAX” provided on the imageforming apparatus is pressed first, and then, a further function isselected by touching a software button (here, “EMAIL ADDRESS” button)displayed on the touch-panel display as needed, to attain FAXtransmission or mail transmission. Different from the image formingapparatus disclosed in '831 Reference, functions related to transmissionare collectively represented by the “FAX” button (or FAX is givenpriority among the functions related to transmission), and selection ofan operational mode related to transmission is made through the “FAX”button. One reason to take such an approach is that the size ofoperation panel is limited and large number of hardware buttons cannotbe arranged. In many conventional image forming apparatuses, it is oftenthe case that a hardware button configured with such a limitation ispressed to select one operational mode (an operational mode of highpriority, or an inclusive operational mode) and thereafter, a furtheroperational mode is selected. Such a method of operation is forselecting one operational mode indirectly from a plurality ofoperational modes.

It is expected that the conventional image forming apparatus in which anoperational mode is selected by pressing a hardware button arranged onthe operation panel will be replaced by a new image forming apparatus inwhich an operational mode is directly selected by touching a softwarebutton displayed on a menu screen image. Such a replacement may possiblycause a problem that the user is confused on the difference of operationmethod and fails to appropriately select an operational mode.

References mentioned above are silent about any solution to such aproblem.

Specifically, in the conventional image forming apparatus, a hardwarebutton for selecting “FAX” that is highly frequently selected among thefunctions related to transmission is provided, and by pressing the “FAX”button, “FAX” mode is selected once and thereafter the mail mode isselected (assuming that higher priority is given to FAX than mail). Incontrast, in the new image forming apparatus in which a large number ofsoftware buttons can be provided relatively easily, both “FAX” buttonand “MAIL” button are provided to enable direct selection of a function.The user may be confused on such difference in the operation method.

In the image forming apparatus (new image forming apparatus) disclosedin '831 Reference, software buttons for selecting an operational modeare displayed on the touch-panel display. The output of image formingapparatus in the copy mode is a print output to a sheet of recordingpaper, while the output in a mode related to transmission istransmission output of data, the output results differ. Simply placingside by side the software buttons for selecting operational modes havingdifferent output results on the touch-panel display makes it difficultfor the user to appropriately select an operational mode.

If an image forming apparatus has a plurality of transmission paths,there are many types of operational modes related to transmission,leading to a large number of software buttons displayed on thetouch-panel display for selecting an operational mode. Simply placingside by side the large number of software buttons for selectingoperational modes related to transmission on the touch-panel displaymakes it difficult for the user to appropriately select an operationalmode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide, in an electronicdevice and an image processing apparatus (an image forming apparatus)having a plurality of operational modes, a technique allowing the userto appropriately select an operational mode even when a user interfacefor selecting an operational mode is changed to software buttonsdisplayed on the touch-panel display.

According to an aspect, the present invention provides an operationconsole provided on an apparatus as an object of control operating in amode selected by a user from a plurality of modes. The operation consoleincludes: a display device displaying a plurality of information itemscorresponding to the plurality of modes, aligned considering eitherpriority of the modes or difference in output from the apparatus as theobject of control; a detector arranged superposed on the display device,for detecting a mode selected by the user based on an information itemdisplayed at a position touched by a fingertip of the user; and adisplay controller controlling the display device.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofdisplaying information on an operation console provided on an apparatusas an object of control operating in a mode selected by a user from aplurality of modes, including: the display step of displaying, on adisplay panel, a plurality of information items corresponding to theplurality of modes, aligned considering either priority of the modes ordifference in output from the apparatus as the object of control; andthe detecting step of detecting, using a touch-panel arranged superposedon the display panel, a mode selected by the user based on aninformation item displayed at a position touched by a fingertip of theuser.

In the operation console and the method of displaying information on theoperation console, when a mode of the apparatus as the object of controlis to be selected, the user touches with his/her fingertip one of aplurality of information items (software buttons, icons and the like)corresponding to the plurality of modes. Here, the information items arearranged aligned in consideration of mode priority or difference inoutput from the apparatus as the object of control. For instance, thearrangement is such that an information item corresponding to a specificmode that is selected with high frequency among the plurality of modes(mode of high priority) is made highly noticeable. Therefore, it ispossible for the user to easily find the mode used frequency. If a modethat has been allocated to a hardware button of a conventional operationconsole (or the apparatus as the object of control) is set as the modeof priority, it is possible for a user who is accustomed to use theconventional hardware button to easily find the same mode. Assume, forexample, that the apparatus as the object of control is an imageprocessing apparatus (image forming apparatus). Then, the items arearranged such that the information item corresponding to a modeproviding print output on a sheet of recording paper is clearlydistinguishable from the information item corresponding to a modeproviding transmission output of data. Since the information itemscorresponding to modes are aligned based on the difference in outputfrom the apparatus as the object of control, it is possible for the userto easily find the information item to be selected. As a result, evenwhen the user interface allowing selection of an operational mode ischanged to the software buttons displayed on the touch-panel display, itis possible for the user to appropriately select an operational mode.

The modes in the apparatus as the object of control may include two ormore communication modes. Then, the display controller may include acircuit displaying an information item allowing selection of one of thecommunication modes given priority among the two or more communicationmodes, and a plurality of information items allowing selection of any ofthe two or more communication modes.

In this configuration, if the communication mode that has been allocatedto a hardware button of a conventional image forming apparatus is set asthe communication mode with priority, the information item correspondingto the communication mode with priority is arranged to be morenoticeable. Therefore, it is possible for a user who is accustomed touse the conventional hardware button to easily find the samecommunication mode.

The display controller may further include a circuit for switching ascreen image when a communication mode with priority is selected, todisplay a condition setting screen image in the selected communicationmode, and a circuit for displaying an information item allowingtransition to another communication mode on the condition setting screenimage.

In this configuration, when a large number of software buttons arenecessary for selecting communication modes, it is easier for the userto at first select a mode with priority, since the information itemcorresponding to the mode with priority is arranged to be morenoticeable. On the condition setting screen image displayed after theselection of mode with priority, information items allowing transitionto other communication modes are displayed and, therefore, easytransition to another communication mode is possible. Such a method ofoperation is similar to the conventional operation method in which theFAX mode is once selected by pressing the “FAX” button and then the mailmode is selected. Therefore, confusion by a user who is accustomed touse the conventional image forming apparatus can be prevented.

The modes in the apparatus as the object of control may include anon-communication mode and two or more communication modes. Then, thedisplay controller may include a circuit for displaying a firstinformation item allowing selection of the non-communication mode and aplurality of second information items allowing selection of acommunication mode, and a circuit for displaying the second informationitems aligned around the first information item.

Assume, for example, that the apparatus as the object of control is animage processing apparatus. Then, the items are arranged such that theinformation item corresponding to the non-communication mode providingprint output on a sheet of recording paper is clearly distinguishablefrom the information item corresponding to the communication mode ofproviding transmission output of data. Since the information itemscorresponding to modes are aligned based on the difference in outputfrom the apparatus as the object of control (the item for thenon-communication mode placed at the center and items for the modesrelated to communication are placed therearound), it is possible for theuser to easily find the information item to be selected.

The display controller may include a circuit for displaying a thirdinformation item allowing selection of one communication mode withpriority among the two or more communication modes, and a plurality offourth information items allowing selection of any of the two or morecommunication modes, as the second information items.

In this configuration, since the third information item corresponding tothe communication mode with priority is displayed, it is possible toeasily select the communication mode that is selected with highfrequency by selecting the third information item.

The display controller may include a circuit displaying the thirdinformation item at a position closer to the user than the fourthinformation item. The display controller may include a circuit fordisplaying the third and fourth information items such that the fourthinformation item is not hidden by the user's hand touching the thirdinformation item.

When a large number of information items corresponding to a large numberof communication modes are displayed, the third information itemcorresponding to the communication mode with priority is displayed closeto the user. By way of example, an information item corresponding to thecommunication mode that has been allocated to the hardware button in theconventional image processing apparatus (communication mode withpriority) is arranged on the side closer to the user. Therefore, it caneasily be found by the user. Further, if the user touches with his/herhand the third information item corresponding to the communication modewith priority, the fourth information item corresponding to a mode otherthan the communication mode with priority is not hidden by the user'shand. Specifically, when the user operates the third information item,the fourth information item is not hidden by the user's own hand but isvisible. Therefore, the user can recognize the fourth information item(new option for operation).

The display device and the detector may be implemented by a touch-paneldisplay.

Even when the user interface for selecting an operational mode ischanged to software buttons using the touch-panel display formed bysuperposing the touch-panel as a detector on the display panel as adisplay device, it is possible for the user to appropriately select anoperational mode.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides anelectronic device provided with the operation console described above.According to a still further aspect, the present invention provides animage processing apparatus provided with the above-described operationconsole.

Thus, in the electronic device and image processing apparatus having aplurality of operational modes, even when the user interface forselecting an operational mode is changed to software buttons displayedon the touch-panel display, it is possible for the user to appropriatelyselect an operational mode.

The difference in output from the image processing apparatus as theapparatus as the object of control may be difference between printoutput on a sheet of recording paper and transmission output of data.

Since the information items are arranged such that the copy mode(non-communication mode) providing print output to a sheet of recordingpaper is clearly distinguished from the communication mode providingtransmission output of data, it is possible for the user to easily finda mode to be selected.

The communication mode in the image processing apparatus in accordancewith the present invention may be an image communication mode, and thecommunication modes may have different communication paths.

In an image processing apparatus having two or more image communicationmodes using different communication paths such as the public line (FAXline) and the Internet line, even when the user interface for selectingan operational mode is changed to software buttons displayed on thetouch-panel display, it is possible for the user to appropriately selectan operational mode.

The communication mode in the image processing apparatus in accordancewith the present invention may be an image communication mode, and acommunication mode with priority among two or more communication modesmay be a mode set by the user.

By setting the mode that is selected frequently as the communicationmode with priority, the mode used frequently can be selected easily. Bysetting the mode selected by the hardware button in the conventionalimage processing apparatus as the communication mode with priority, themode can be selected easily in the manner similar to the conventionaloperation method.

The communication mode in the image processing apparatus in accordancewith the present invention may be an image communication mode, and thenon-communication mode may be an image forming mode.

Since the information items are arranged such that the imagecommunication mode providing transmission output of data is clearlydistinguished from the image formation mode providing print output on asheet of recording paper, it is possible for the user to easily find themode to be selected.

According to the present invention, in the electronic device and imageprocessing apparatus (image forming apparatus) including a plurality ofoperational modes, even when the user interface for selecting anoperational mode is changed to software buttons displayed on thetouch-panel display, it is possible for the user to appropriately selectan operational mode.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image formingapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an internal configuration of the imageforming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration ofthe image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows display areas of a touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted in the image forming apparatus in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a home screen image displayed on the touch-panel display ofthe image forming apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows concepts of arrangement on the home screen image shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a mail mode initial screen image displayed in the regularmode, displayed on the touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a FAX mode initial screen image displayed in the regularmode, displayed on the touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an i-FAX mode initial screen image displayed in theregular mode, displayed on the touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a shared folder mode initial screen image displayed in theregular mode, displayed on the touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a data input mode initial screen image displayed in theregular mode, displayed on the touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows an FTP mode initial screen image displayed in the regularmode, displayed on the touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a desk top mode initial screen image displayed in theregular mode, displayed on the touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a manner how the user touches the operational mode displayarea in the FAX initial screen image shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 shows the touch-panel display screen image after the operationalmode display area is touched as shown in FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, the same components are denoted by thesame reference characters. Their names and functions are also the same.Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

The electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is an image forming apparatus as one type of image processingapparatuses. The operation console device in accordance with the presentinvention may be applicable to an image processing apparatus or anelectronic device other than the image forming apparatus. The electronicdevice in accordance with the present embodiment may be any apparatushaving a plurality of operational modes and provided with an operationconsole capable of displaying operational mode selection buttons on thetouch-panel display in such a manner that enables the user toappropriately select an operational mode without confusion, even whenthe buttons for selecting the operational mode are changed from hardwarebuttons to software buttons.

The image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the presentembodiment includes a touch-panel display allowing operation by thegesture operation method and the touch-operation method not using thegesture operation. The apparatus, however, may include a touch-paneldisplay allowing touch operation only.

The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet of recording paperby electro-photography. The image forming apparatus includes, asoperational modes, copy mode, mail mode, FAX mode, i-FAX mode, sharedfolder mode, data input mode, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) mode and desktop mode.

In the mail mode, image data formed by scanning is transmitted byelectronic mail (e-mail) to a designated e-mail address. In the i-FAXmode, an image data file is transmitted as an attachment to an e-mail toa designated e-mail address through the Internet. The i-FAX mode mayinclude a function referred to as direct SMTP (Simple Mail TransferProtocol) allowing direct inter-office communication not through a mailserver. In the shared folder mode, an image data file formed by scanningis transmitted with its format unchanged, to a shared folder of acomputer of the same network to which the image forming apparatus isconnected. The data input mode is also referred to as meta datatransmission in which, besides the image data file, meta data (datarepresenting attributes, method of processing and the like of thetransmitted data) is generated based on information registered inadvance and transmitted. In the FTP mode, an image data file formed byscanning is transmitted to a directory of a designated FTP server usinga dedicated protocol. In the desk top mode, an image data file formed byscanning is transmitted to a personal computer on an intra-net.

Of these modes, the FAX mode, i-FAX mode, shared folder mode, data inputmode, FTP mode and desk top mode are operational modes related totransmission. These operational modes related to transmission will begenerally referred to as image transmission mode. It is noted that thepresent invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus havingthe image transmission modes of these names.

The image forming apparatus may further include a network printer mode.The present invention is not limited to the above, and it may be anyimage forming apparatus including at least two image transmission modes(for example, FAX mode and another operational mode related totransmission) in addition to copy mode, and having operational modeselecting buttons displayed on the touch-panel display to allow the userto appropriately select an operational mode without confusion. Further,the printing method is not limited to electro-photography.

[Image Forming Apparatus: Function]

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an image forming apparatus 100 in accordancewith the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, image forming apparatus 100 includes adocument reading unit 102, an image forming unit 104, a paper feed unit106, a paper discharge unit 108 and an operation unit 120. Operationunit 120 includes a touch-panel display 130 and a display operation unit140. Touch-panel display 130 includes a display panel 132 formed of aliquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch-panel 134 arranged ondisplay panel 132, for detecting a position pressed by the user'sfinger. Display operation unit 140 includes a pilot lamp 142, a powerkey 144, an energy-saving key 146, and a home key 148 for returning thedisplay screen image on touch-panel display 130 to a home screen imagefor selection of an operational mode.

As described above, image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with thepresent embodiment is provided with touch-panel display 130 as a mainoperation device, and, in addition, with display operation unit 140including hardware keys and a pilot lamp. The keys (power key 144,energy-saving key 146 and home key 148) of display operation unit 140are hardware buttons, in contrast to the software buttons realized bytouch-panel display 130. It is noted that image forming apparatus 100 isnot limited to one having display operation unit 140 as such, and theapparatus may only include touch-panel display 130. The invention isapplicable to any apparatus in which the display is switched to aninitial screen image of a selected operational mode, when the userselects the operational mode on the home screen image displayed ontouch-panel display 130. The operational modes of image formingapparatus 100 as such will be described.

—Copy Mode—

In the following, an operation in the copy mode will be described. Inthe copy mode, mainly document reading unit (also referred to as ascanner unit) 102 and image forming unit 104 operate.

In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on a platen is read bydocument reading unit 102 as image data. The read image data is input toCPU (Central Processing Unit) 300 implemented, for example, by amicrocomputer shown in FIG. 3. The image data is subjected to variousimage processing operations here, and the resulting image data is outputto image forming unit 104.

Image forming unit 104 is for printing an image of the documentrepresented by the image data on a recording medium (in most cases, on asheet of recording paper). Image forming unit 104 includes aphotoreceptor drum 222, a charger 224, a laser scanning unit(hereinafter denoted as LSU) 226, a developer 228, a transfer device230, a cleaning device 232, a fixing device 234 and a neutralizer, notshown.

In image forming unit 104, a main feeding path 236 and a reverse feedingpath 238 are provided, and a sheet of recording paper fed from paperfeed unit 106 is fed along main feeding path 236. Paper feed unit 106draws out sheets of recording paper stacked on a paper feed cassette 240or on a manual feed tray 242 one by one, and feeds the sheet of paper tomain feeding path 236 of image forming unit 104.

While the sheet of recording paper is fed along main feeding path 236 ofimage forming unit 104, the sheet passes between photoreceptor drum 222and transfer device 230, and further passes through fixing device 234,whereby printing is done on the sheet of recording paper.

Photoreceptor drum 222 rotates in one direction, and its surface iscleaned by cleaning device 232 and the neutralizer and, thereafter,uniformly charged by charger 224.

LSU 226 modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be printed,and repeatedly scans the surface of photoreceptor drum 222 with themodulated laser beam in a main scanning direction, whereby anelectrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of photoreceptordrum 222.

Developer 228 develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying tonerto the surface of photoreceptor drum 222, and thus, a toner image isformed on the surface of photoreceptor drum 222.

Transfer device 230 transfers the toner image on the surface ofphotoreceptor drum 222 to the sheet of recording paper passing betweentransfer device 230 and the photoreceptor drum 222.

Fixing device 234 includes a heating roller 248 for heating the sheet ofrecording paper and a pressure roller 250 for pressing the sheet ofrecording paper. As the sheet of recording paper is heated by heatingroller 248 and pressed by pressure roller 250, the toner image that hasbeen transferred to the sheet of recording paper is fixed on the sheet.A heater is heated by electric power supplied to fixing device 234 andcontrolled such that temperature of heating roller 248 attains to anappropriate temperature for fixing. When operational mode is changed tothe energy saving mode, power supply to the heater is, for example,stopped or reduced.

At a position of connection between main feeding path 236 and reversefeeding path 238, a separation pawl 244 is arranged. When printing isdone only on one side of the sheet of recording paper, separation pawl244 is so positioned that the sheet of recording paper fed from fixingdevice 234 is guided to paper discharge tray 246 or a paper dischargeunit 108.

When printing is done on both sides of the sheet of recording paper,separation pawl 244 is turned to a prescribed direction, so that thesheet of recording paper is guided to reverse feeding path 238. Thesheet of recording paper passes through reverse feeding path 238, turnedupside-down and again fed to main feeding path 236, and while it isagain fed along main feeding path 236, printing is done on its rearsurface, and thereafter the sheet is guided to paper discharge tray 246or to paper discharge unit 108.

The sheet of recording paper printed in the above-described manner isguided to paper discharge tray 246 or to paper discharge unit 108, anddischarged to paper discharge tray 246 or to any of paper dischargetrays 110 of paper discharge unit 108.

Paper discharge unit 108 may perform a process of sorting a plurality ofprinted sheets of paper to be output to different discharge trays 110, aprocess of punching each sheet of recording paper or a process ofstapling the sheets of recording paper. Assume that a number of copiesof the printing are to be prepared. In that case, sheets of recordingpaper are sorted and discharged to paper discharge trays 110 such thateach tray 110 contains each set of printed sheets, and the set ofprinted sheets in each tray 110 is stapled or punched.

—Facsimile Mode—

In the following, an operation in the facsimile mode will be described.In the facsimile mode, document reading unit (scanner unit) 102 and FAXcommunication unit 160 mainly operate for the transmission operation,and FAX communication unit 160 and image forming unit 104 mainly operatefor the reception operation.

Transmission Operation

In image forming apparatus 100, the facsimile mode is designated. Adocument placed on the platen is read by document reading unit 102 asimage data. The read image data is input to CPU 300 implemented, forexample, by a microcomputer shown in FIG. 3, the image data is subjectedto various image processing operations here, and the resulting imagedata is output to a FAX communication unit (FAX communication unit 160of FIG. 3)

FAX communication unit 160 of image forming apparatus 100 on thetransmitting side connects a designated transmitting side line to adesignated transmission destination. FAX communication unit 160 convertsthe image data to communication data in compliance with facsimiletransmission standard, and transmits the converted data to a facsimilemachine (such as an image forming apparatus 100 having the facsimilemode) on the receiving side.

Communication Operation

When the line is connected, a FAX communication unit 160 of imageforming apparatus 100 on the receiving side detects a communicationrequest signal from FAX communication unit 160 of image formingapparatus 100 on the transmitting side, and transmits an acknowledgementsignal. Thereafter, by way of example, FAX communication units 160 onthe transmitting and receiving sides pass performance informationsupported by transmitting side and receiving side, determine highestpossible speed of communication and method of coding/code correction ofimage data, and set the method of communication of modems. Then, usingthe image signal format in compliance with the communication method,data is transmitted from FAX communication unit 160 of image formingapparatus 100 on the transmitting side to the FAX communication unit 160of image forming apparatus 100 on the receiving side. When transmissionends, the line is disconnected.

Reception Operation

FAX communication unit 160 of image forming apparatus 100 on thereceiving side converts the received data to image data and passes thedata to an image forming unit 104. The received data may be converted toimage data at the image forming unit 104. The image forming unit 104prints an image of a document represented by the image data convertedfrom the received data on a sheet of recording paper, in a mannersimilar to the operation in the copy mode described above.

—Other Image Transmission Mode—

In the following, operations in the mail mode, i-FAX mode, shared foldermode, data input mode, FTP mode and desk top mode as the imagetransmission modes other than the facsimile mode will be described. Asregards the image transmission modes, outline of the i-FAX mode will bedescribed. In these image transmission modes, document reading unit(scanner unit) 102 and image forming unit 104, as well as networkinterface 304 mainly operate.

In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on the platen is readby document reading unit 102 as image data. The read image data is inputto CPU 300 and subjected to various image processing operations here.The resulting image data is stored in a storage device (hard disk drive302 as will be described later) provided in image forming apparatus 100.The image data is converted to a format (for example, TIFF (Tagged ImageFile Format)-F format) usable in i-FAX, and the converted data file isattached to an e-mail. The e-mail as such is transmitted to anotherimage forming apparatus or to a computer through network interface 304and the Internet.

An image forming apparatus that is to receive the i-FAX connects to amail server at a predetermined time interval, and receives mailsaddressed to it, stored in the mail server.

Different from the facsimile mode in which a telephone number oftransmission destination is designated, a mail address, an IP address, aserver computer name, a computer name, a folder name or the like of thetransmission destination is designated, in these image transmissionmodes.

[Image Forming Apparatus: Control Block Configuration]

Referring to FIG. 3, image forming apparatus 100 further includesoperation unit 120, which allows setting of functions related to thecopy mode, facsimile mode, document filing mode and mail mode; ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 306, which stores programs and the like; a hard disk drive(hereinafter denoted as HDD) 302, which is a non-volatile storage areacapable of storing programs and data even when power is cut off; and anRAM (Random Access Memory) 308, which provides a storage area when aprogram is executed.

Image forming apparatus 100 further includes: a bus 310 connected todocument reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, FAX communicationunit 160, operation unit 120, ROM 306, HDD 302, and RAM 308; and CPU 300connected to bus 310, for realizing general functions as the imageforming apparatus.

HDD 302 stores files of image data of documents scanned by image formingapparatus 100, folder by folder, together with date and time of savingand name of the user who saved. Further, HDD 302 stores initial screenimage data of each operational mode.

ROM 306 stores programs and data necessary for controlling operations ofimage forming apparatus 100. The initial screen image data of eachoperational mode may be stored as data to be stored together with theprogram in ROM 306. CPU 300 controls image forming apparatus 100 inaccordance with the programs and data stored in ROM 306, and executescontrol related to various functions of image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, a public line is connected fortransmitting/receiving image data, to FAX communication unit 160 ofimage forming apparatus 100. To network interface 304, a network line isconnected. To the network line, a computer or the like using imageforming apparatus 100 as a network-supported printer may be connected.To the network line, a computer or the like identified by a URL (UniformResource Locator) designated through the Internet may be connected, or acomputer or an image forming apparatus to which image data istransmitted in the image transmission mode may be connected. Whenconnected to the Internet, image forming apparatus 100 can obtainnecessary information or transmit/receive image data, through theInternet.

RAM 308 provides a function,of a working memory,for temporarily storingresults of operations and processes by CPU 300, and a function of aframe memory for storing image data.

CPU 300 controls document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, ROM306, HDD 302, RAM 308 and touch-panel display 130 and display operationunit 140 forming operation unit 120, by executing a prescribed programor programs. Operation unit 120 communicates with CPU 300 through aninput/output interface.

Operation unit 120 is formed of a plate-shaped panel provided in aninclined manner to be easily viewable by the user. On a surface ofoperation unit 120, touch-panel display 130 is provided on the left sidearea, and display operation unit 140 (pilot lamp 142, and power key 144,energy-saving key 146 and home key 148 as hardware buttons) is providedon the right side area. Touch-panel display 130 and display operationunit 140 form operation unit 120 as one integrated body as a whole.

As described above, touch-panel display 130 is formed of display panel132 and touch-panel 134 arranged on display panel 132. On display panel132 of touch-panel display 130, a home screen image allowing selectionof an operational mode of image forming apparatus 100, current state ofimage forming apparatus 100, status of destination designation, andstatus of job processing are displayed. On a display area of displaypanel 132, selection buttons as software buttons are displayed. When aportion where the selection button is displayed is pressed, the pressedposition is detected by the touch-panel 134. By comparing the displayposition of the selection button and the position where the touch-panel134 is pressed using a program, selection of an operational mode,setting of a function, and instruction of an operation of image formingapparatus 100 become possible. In addition to such a touch operation(command input operation based on the position of pressing by the user),image forming apparatus 100 also allows gesture operation (command inputoperation based on trajectory of operation by the user) as describedabove.

Pilot lamp 142 of display operation unit 140 is, for example, an LED(Light Emitting Diode). It is turned on/off (/flickered) under thecontrol of CPU 300. When the user presses power key 144 providedseparate from a main power switch, image forming apparatus 100 makes atransition from a standby mode (in which, for example, only the FAXreceiving operation is possible with the main power on) to a normalmode, in which every operational mode of image forming apparatus 100 isusable. In this state, pilot lamp 142 is turned and kept on. If apredetermined time passes without any user operation, or if the userpresses energy-saving key 146, image forming apparatus 100 makes atransition from the normal mode to the energy saving mode. In the energysaving mode, only some of the operational modes of image formingapparatus 100 can be used. In this state, pilot lamp 142 flickers.Further, if the user presses energy-saving key 146 in the energy savingmode, the image forming apparatus 100 makes a transition from the energysaving mode to the normal mode. Home key 148 is a hardware key forreturning the display of touch-panel display 130 to the initial state(home screen image). The processes performed when power key 144,energy-saving key 146 and home key 148 are pressed are not limited tothe above.

In a hardware button (power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home key148) of display operation unit 140, a key lamp or key lamps, which isturned on/off (/flickered) under the control of CPU 300, may beembedded. By way of example, the key lamps provide a light ring on theedge of a circular key, or the key lamp lights a central portion of thekey. The key lamp is turned on at a timing when hardware buttons areallowed to be used as the operation device (at a timing when a processis executed if the hardware button is used).

Image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodimentincludes the operational modes as described above. On touch-paneldisplay 130, software buttons for setting functions in respectiveoperational modes are displayed, and buttons for setting a destinationor a preview as an expected image, for example, are displayed as needed.

In different operational modes, different screen images are displayed ontouch-panel display 130. In order to allow the user to easily find arequired piece of information even in such a state, touch-panel display130 is divided into a plurality of areas (with the size of each areamade variable), and pieces of information are displayed in these areas.More specifically, in image forming apparatus 100, if an operationalmode is selected on the home screen image of touch-panel display 130provided as a main display operation device, the initial screen image ofeach operational mode is displayed. The initial image has the followingcharacteristics. (1) The basic layout is such that the screen image isdivided into five areas (“system area,” “function selecting area,”“preview area,” “action panel area,” and “task trigger area”) andarranged appropriately. Therefore, by a user operation starting from anupper left portion to a lower right portion, easy setting is possible(since the flow lines of the user's viewpoint and fingertip are similarto those in a conventional device not provided with such a largetouch-panel display 130). (2) Concepts of the pieces of informationdisplayed on respective ones of the five areas are common amongdifferent operational modes, so that smooth operation by the userwithout any confusion becomes possible even in different operationalmodes. (3) The display of “function selecting area” is given in two ormore display modes in which the area size is changed, so that the sizeof “preview area” can be changed, whereby the function settinginformation and preview information can accurately be transmitted to theuser. (4) The “function selecting area,” “action panel area” and “tasktrigger area” are arranged around the “preview area” at the center, andit is possible to select a function on an area arranged on one side(“function selecting area”), to confirm the process attained by thefunction by the preview at the central area, and to request execution ofthe process on the area arranged on the other side (“action panel area”and “task trigger area”). In the following, the arrangement of basiclayout will be described.

[Basic Layout Arrangement]

FIG. 4 shows a basic layout on touch-panel display 130 of image formingapparatus 100. Referring to FIG. 4, the basic layout oflandscape-oriented touch-panel display 130 (for example, of 1024pixels×600 pixels) includes: system area 1000 arranged at the uppermostportion; preview area 3000 arranged at the center of the screen image;function setting/confirmation area 2000 (hereinafter referred to asfunction selecting area 2000) placed on the left side of preview area3000; action panel area 4000 placed on the upper right side of previewarea 3000; and task trigger area 5000 placed on the lower right side ofpreview area 3000. The number of areas is not limited to five, thearrangement on the left and right sides is not limited to the above, andthe layout may be customized to facilitate user operation. For instance,system area 1000 may be positioned at the lowermost portion of thescreen image.

On system area 1000, pieces of information related to the current statusof image forming apparatus 100, title of the operational mode that isbeing selected, and state of image forming apparatus 100 are displayed.By way of example, on system area 1000, an operational mode name, aninterruption key, a log-in user name, status of a currently processedjob, state of use of an internal memory, time and the like aredisplayed.

On function selecting area 2000, a function selection menu (icons,buttons, screen image for setting items, screen image of a function listand the like) operated by the user for setting each function, switchingdisplay and confirming setting, is displayed with the manner of displaychanged depending on whether it is in an icon mode, a regular mode or anexpress mode. In the icon mode, only the icons for setting functions aredisplayed in function selecting area 2000, so as to ensure the widestpreview area 3000. In the express mode, a large screen image allowingsetting of functions at one time is displayed in function selecting area2000, while preview area 3000 is made the smallest. In the regular mode,the size of preview area 3000 is medium size between that in the iconmode and that in the express mode. In function selecting area 2000,function names are displayed in text, together with the icons forsetting functions.

In the regular mode, the function names may be displayed in text only(without displaying the icons for setting functions).

Switching among the icon mode, regular mode and express mode is donebased on an operation by the user. Specifically, the size of previewarea 3000 is changed in accordance with the user's operation. Sinceicons can transmit pieces of information to the user in a small area, itis preferred to prepare icons for all functions, so as to allow displayof preview area 3000 in a large size.

At a lower portion of function selecting area 2000, a group of changebuttons 2010 are provided, for changing style of display of functionselecting area 2000. Among the group of change buttons 2010, providedare: an icon mode entering button 2012 for displaying function selectingarea 2000 in the icon mode; a “favorite” button 2014 for displayingfunctions registered as “favorites”; a check button 2016 for displayinga function of which setting has been changed; a list button 2018 fordisplaying a list of all functions that can be set in the selectedoperational mode; a regular mode entering button 2020 for displayingfunction selecting area 2000 in the regular mode; and an express modeentering button 2022 for displaying function selecting area 2000 in theexpress mode. Details of these three display modes (icon mode, regularmode and express mode) will be described later.

If a large amount of information is to be displayed on functionselecting area 2000, pieces of information are displayed in anupward/downward scrollable manner. In that case, the group of changebuttons 2010 are not scrolled but constantly displayed at the lowermostportion of function selecting area 2000.

In preview area 3000, an image of expected document output (finishedform) is displayed. Specifically, an image is displayed using dummy dataor scanned data. Every time the user designates the manner of finish,the image displayed on preview area 3000 changes. Preview area 3000 hastwo display modes, that is, a virtual mode before scanning, in whichfinished form of a dummy image is displayed, and a scan-in mode afterscanning, in which finished form of the actual image is displayed. Thevirtual mode has two types, that is, before setting an original documentand after setting an original document.

At a lower portion of preview area 3000, a group of preview changingbuttons 3010 are arranged, for changing the style of display of previewarea 3000. Among the group of preview changing buttons 3010, providedare: a left-turn button 3016 for turning the preview 90 degrees to theleft; a right-turn button 3018 for turning the preview 90 degrees to theright; and a zoom bar 3020. In addition to these buttons, a colorchanging button 3012 and preview operation button 3014, for example, areprovided.

When left-turn button 3016 is touch-operated once, the preview is turned90 degrees to the left, and when touch-operated twice, the preview isturned 180 degrees to the left (vertically flipped). Similarly, when theimage of finished document displayed on the preview area isgesture-operated (when the document image is rotated 180 degreescounterclockwise by one's finger), the preview is turned 180 degrees tothe left (vertically flipped).

When right-turn button 3018 is touch-operated once, the preview isturned 90 degrees to the right, and when touch-operated twice, thepreview is turned 180 degrees to the right (vertically flipped).Similarly, when the image of finished document displayed on the previewarea is gesture-operated (when the document image is rotated 180 degreesclockwise by one's finger), the preview is turned 180 degrees to theright (vertically flipped).

When a plus button 3020A of zoom bar 3020 is touch-operated or if bar3020C is gesture-operated (slid) to the side of plus button 3020A, thepreview is displayed in an enlarged size. Similarly, when the image offinished document displayed on the preview area is gesture-operated(when the document image is pinched-out/pinched-open by fingertips), thepreview is displayed in an enlarged size.

When a minus button 3020B of zoom bar 3020 is touch-operated or if bar3020C is gesture-operated (slid) to the side of minus button 3020B, thepreview is displayed in a reduced size. Similarly, when the image offinished document displayed on the preview area is gesture-operated(when the document image is pinched-in/pinched-close by fingertips), thepreview is displayed in a reduced size.

If the number of pages of the document image to be displayed on previewarea 3000 is large, a display page selection button (a page number inputbutton, page feed button, page return button, single page displaybutton, plural page display button or the like) that can betouch-operated may be displayed. Page feed and page return of thepreviewed document is also possible by a gesture-operation (flick) ofthe document image. If the document image displayed on preview area 3000is large, a scroll bar that can be touch-operated or gesture-operatedmay be displayed.

On action panel area 4000, pieces of information related to assistance,guidance and suggestion related to the operation are displayed. Onaction panel area 4000, if, for instance, a user selects a specificfunction, functions related to the selected function may be displayed,other functions related to the selected function in object-orientedmanner may be displayed, or functions selected in the past by the useror a user of a group to which the user belongs in relation to theselected function may be displayed as “recommended functions.”

On task trigger area 5000, trigger items operated by the user toactually operate image forming apparatus 100 when all settings are donefor the operational mode are displayed. By way of example, a startbutton (software button) is displayed for starting a process. In anoperational mode involving printing (other than facsimile transmission),information related to run out of consumables is also displayed on the“task trigger area,” since it leads to a task failure.

Here, it is preferred to display the start button only when the stateallows pressing of the start button. The state that allows pressing ofthe start button refers to a state in which all settings have been done,and consumables (recording paper and toner) are available, in theoperational mode involving printing. In the facsimile mode(transmission) as an operational mode not involving printing, the statethat allows pressing of the start button is a state in which settings ofall transmission parameters including a destination have been done.

The positions where these five areas are arranged are not changed evenwhen the operational mode is changed (not changed in the initial screenimage of any operational mode). Similar to the switched display in theicon mode/regular mode/express mode of function selecting area 2000 (andpreview area 3000), the size of each area is changed, reduced/enlargedin the lateral direction (longitudinal direction) of touch-panel display130.

These five areas are arranged in consideration of the flow line ofuser's viewpoint and the flow line of user's operation, in addition tothe user interface of conventional devices. With such an arrangement,the user's viewpoint moves from upper left to lower right, and the useroperation (fingertip of the dominant hand) moves from upper left tolower right. This advantageously enables a user-friendly operation.

For making a transition from one operational mode to another, home key148 is pressed, to select another operational mode on the home screenimage. In this manner, the operational mode is switched through the homescreen image. In image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with thepresent embodiment, however, it is possible to make a transition from ascreen image of one operational mode to a screen image of anotheroperational mode if an image transmission mode (mail mode, FAX mode,i-FAX mode, shared folder mode, data input mode, FTP mode or desk topmode) is selected, as will be described later. Therefore, it is possibleto switch the operational mode between each of the image transmissionmodes directly, not through the home screen image.

As described above, image forming apparatus 100 is provided withtouch-panel display 130 displaying pieces of information inconsideration of flow lines of user's viewpoint and user's operation. Inorder to enable the user to appropriately select an operational modewithout confusion on touch-panel display 130, operational mode selectionbuttons are displayed on the touch-panel display. Such a display processis realized by software executed by using the hardware configurationdescribed above. The software configuration will be described.

[Software Configuration]

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by CPU 300 of image forming apparatus 100. CPU 300 of imageforming apparatus 100 executes, in parallel with the program, a programfor realizing general functions of an image forming apparatus. Theprogram, however, is not directly related to the characteristic portionof the present invention and, therefore, details thereof will not bedescribed here.

Referring to FIG. 5, at step S10000, CPU 300 of image forming apparatus100 (hereinafter simply referred to as CPU 300) determines whether ornot image forming apparatus 100 is powered on. Here, it is assumed thatthe main power for operating CPU 300 has been on, and when power key 144is pressed, CPU 300 determines that image forming apparatus 100 ispowered on. The determination of YES may be made if the main power isturned on, at step S10000. If it is determined that image formingapparatus 100 is powered on (YES at step S10000), the process proceedsto step S10010. Otherwise (NO at S10000), the process returns to S10000and waits until it is determined that image forming apparatus 100 ispowered on.

At step S10010, CPU 300 displays a warm-up screen image on touch-paneldisplay 130. While the warm-up screen image is displayed on touch-paneldisplay 130, by way of example, a system check process and the processof supplying electric power to the heater to heat heating roller 248 areexecuted.

At step S10020, CPU 300 determines whether or not warm-up is complete.If it is determined that warm-up is complete (YES at step S10020), theprocess proceeds to step S10030. Otherwise (NO at step S10020), theprocess returns to step S10020 and waits until warm-up is complete.

At step S10030, CPU 300 displays the home screen image on touch-paneldisplay 130. At step S10040, CPU 300 determines whether or not anoperational mode is selected. CPU 300 determines that an operationalmode is selected when an icon (an icon representing an operational mode)displayed on the home screen image is touched, tapped or double-tapped.If it is determined that an operational mode is selected (YES at stepS10040), the process proceeds to step S10050. Otherwise (NO at stepS10040), the process returns to step S10030, and display of the homescreen image is continued. As to the icon operation, any gestureoperation other than touching, tapping and double-tapping is notexcluded. Any touch-operation or gesture-operation on touch-paneldisplay 130 may be done. Simple description of “pressing” may refer toany of these operations. Characteristic arrangement of home screen imagedisplayed on touch-panel display 130 at step S10030 will be describedlater.

At step S10050, CPU 300 determines whether or not the selectedoperational mode is related to image transmission. Here, if any of theimage transmission icon, E-mail icon, FAX icon, i-FAX icon, sharedfolder icon, data input icon, FTP icon and desk top icon among the iconsdisplayed on the home screen image (icons representing operationalmodes) is touched, tapped or double-tapped, CPU 300 determines that anoperational mode related to image transmission is selected. If it isdetermined that an operational mode related to image transmission isselected (YES at step S10050), the process proceeds to step S10060.Otherwise (NO at step S10050), the process proceeds to step S10080.

At step S10060, CPU 300 determines whether or not the selection of amode related to image transmission is an inclusive designation. Here, ifthe image transmission icon displayed on the home screen image istouched, tapped or double-tapped, CPU 300 determines that it is aninclusive designation. If it is determined to be an inclusivedesignation (YES at step S10060), the process proceeds to step S10070.Otherwise (NO at step S10060), the process proceeds to step S10080.

At step S10070, CPU 300 obtains an operational mode set in advance asthe inclusive transmission mode, based on information stored, forexample, in HDD 302. As the inclusive transmission mode, an operationalmode related to image transmission frequently selected in image formingapparatus 100 is set. Though not limiting, in the present embodiment,FAX mode (one of the modes related to image transmission) is set to bethe inclusive transmission mode in advance by the user. The setting maybe appropriately changed by the user (preferably by an administrator).The inclusive transmission mode set in this manner may be designatedfreely by the user in accordance with his/her priority and, therefore,it may be regarded as a preferred transmission mode set by the user.Particularly, if a mode related to image transmission that is frequentlyselected is set to be the inclusive transmission mode, the inclusivetransmission mode as such is, from the viewpoint of the user who wantsto select it with priority, the transmission mode with priority.

At step S10080, CPU 300 reads the initial screen image data of theselected operational mode, which is among the initial screen image datastored, for example, in HDD 302. At step S10090, CPU 300 displays theinitial screen image of the selected operational mode using the readinitial screen image data, on touch-panel display 130.

At step S10100, CPU 300 determines whether or not any request is inputin the selected operational mode. If it is determined that a userrequest is input (YES at step S10100), the process proceeds to stepS10110. Otherwise (NO at step S10100), the process proceeds to stepS10120.

At step S10110, CPU 300 executes the process requested by the user, inimage forming apparatus 100. Then, the process ends.

At step S10120, CPU 300 determines whether or not the home key ispressed. If it is determined that the home key is pressed (YES at stepS10120), the process returns to step S10030. Otherwise (NO at stepS10120), the process proceeds to step S10130.

At step S10130, CPU 300 determines whether or not a request for changingthe operational mode related to image transmission has been detected.Here, if the operational mode display area displayed in the conditionsetting screen image for the operational mode related to imagetransmission is touched, tapped or double-tapped by the user, CPU 300determines that a request for changing the operational mode is detected.If it is determined that the request for changing the operational modeis detected (YES at step S10130), the process proceeds to step S10140.Otherwise (NO at step S10130), the process proceeds to step S10100.

At step S10140, CPU 300 displays a pop-up screen image for changingoperational mode, on touch-panel display 130. Here, a list of modesrelated to image transmission is displayed in the pop-up screen image.

At step S10150, CPU 300 determines whether or not one of the operationalmodes related to image transmission displayed in the pop-up image screenis selected. Here, if one of the operational modes related to imagetransmission displayed in the pop-up screen image is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped by the user, CPU 300 determines that an operational modeis selected. If it is determined that one of the operational modesdisplayed in the pop-up screen image is selected (YES at step S10150),the process proceeds to step S10080. Otherwise (NO at step S10150), theprocess proceeds to step S10100.

It is also possible to display a log-in screen image at the completionof warm-up (YES at S10020). Though the log-in operation after completionof warm-up is not described in the following, it is assumed that log-inis required of the user to use image forming apparatus 100.

Further, the request input by the user at step S10100 may include arequest before printing that does not necessarily cause the actualprinting by image forming apparatus 100, such as a change in the displaymode of function selecting area 2000, function setting on functionselecting area 2000, and a change in the manner of displaying thepreview on preview area 3000. If such a request before printing is made,corresponding operation is done at step S10110, and after step S10110,the process returns to step S10100 to wait for an input of a furtherrequest (eventually the request for printing).

[Operation]

The operation of image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with thepresent embodiment based on the configuration and flowchart as abovewill be described with reference to the exemplary displays ontouch-panel display 130 shown in FIGS. 6 to 16. In the exemplarydisplays, the same reference characters represent the same display itemnames. Description of the same display items will not be repeated.

—Home Screen Image Display Operation—

When the user presses power key 144 of image forming apparatus 100 (YESat step S10000), the warm-up screen image is displayed on touch-paneldisplay 130 (step S10010) until warm-up is complete (NO at step S10020).At this time, it is preferred that image forming apparatus 100 preparespieces of information that can be displayed even during system check anduseful for the user who is going to use image forming apparatus 100 aswarm-up screen image, and that the warm-up screen image including suchpieces of information is displayed on touch-panel display 130.

When warm-up is complete (YES at step S10020), the home screen image isdisplayed on touch-panel display 130 (step S10030). At this time, ontouch-panel display 130, a home screen image 6000 such as shown in FIG.6 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, on home screen image 6000, not allof the five areas of the layout described above are displayed, and icons(icons representing operational modes) allowing selection of anoperational mode are displayed on most part of touch-panel display 130,regardless of the five areas.

Referring to FIG. 6, home screen image 6000 includes a home system area6100 corresponding to the system area described above, an icon displayarea 6200, an icon display switching tub-button 6300, and a memo displayarea 6400.

On home system area 6100, an area 6102 displaying an icon representingthe home screen image, an area 6104 displaying the name of the displayedscreen image, an area 6106 displaying the logged-in user name, an area6108 displaying a log-out button (software button), and an area 6110displaying the current time, are arranged.

On icon display area 6200, icons 6210-6274 representing operationalmodes are displayed together with the names or abbreviations of theoperational modes. The name or abbreviation of the operational mode isnot indispensable. In the present embodiment, the operational modemainly includes, in addition to the maintenance mode (system setting,language setting and the like), the copy mode and the operational modesrelated to image transmission (mail mode, FAX mode, i-FAX mode, sharedfolder mode, data input mode, FTP mode, and desk top mode). Therefore,an icon 6242 for selecting the copy mode, and an icon 6244 forinclusively selecting the operational mode related to image transmissionare displayed on icon display area 6200. Further, in icon display area6200, an icon 6230 for directly selecting the mail mode, an icon 6232for directly selecting the i-FAX mode, an icon 6234 for directlyselecting the FAX mode, an icon 6240 for directly selecting the FTPmode, an icon 6252 for directly selecting the data input mode, an icon6254 for directly selecting the shared folder mode, and an icon 6250 fordirectly selecting the desk top mode, are displayed. The presentinvention is not limited to the icons shown in home screen image 6000 ofFIG. 6.

Here, icon 6242 is an icon for selecting the copy mode as the finaloperational mode that does not necessitate further selection of anoperational mode (though setting of conditions may be necessary), andicon 6244 is an icon with priority for selecting an operational moderelated to image transmission to which priority is given. As describedabove, when icon 6244 is pressed, it is assumed that FAX mode, which isset in advance as highly frequently selected mode, is selected, andcorresponding process is done. The process is the same when icon 6234 ispressed.

As will be described later, in the condition setting screen image in theFAX mode, transition to another mode related to image transmission isreadily possible (transition to another mode related to imagetransmission is readily possible also from a mode related to imagetransmission other than the FAX mode). Such a transition means that anoperational mode with priority is first selected by the priority icon,and then, a final operational mode is selected. Therefore, icon 6244 canbe regarded as an inclusive icon for selecting a further operationalmode, rather than a final operational mode. Further, icons 6230, 6232,6234, 6240, 6250, 6252 and 6254 are icons for selecting modes related toimage transmission as final operational modes, not requiring furtherselection of a further operational mode.

As shown in FIG. 6, in icon display area 6200, icons on the centralcolumn (for example, icons 6240, 6242 and 6244) are displayed largerthan icons on the left and right sides thereof (for example, icons 6230and 6250 with respect to icon 6240, icons 6232 and 6252 with respect toicon 6242, and icons 6234 and 6254 with respect to icon 6244). In icondisplay area 6200, icons at the central row (for example, icons 6232,6242 and 6252) are displayed larger than icons on the upper and lowersides thereof (for example, icons 6230 and 6234 with respect to icon6232, icons 6240 and 6244 with respect to icon 6242, and icons 6250 and6254 with respect to icon 6252). In this manner, in icon display area6200, the icons are displayed to be horizontally and verticallysymmetrical in size, with the size being the largest at the center(center at the central column).

When the user makes a flick operation to the left with his/her finger onicon display area 6200 displayed on the screen of touch-panel display130, icons displayed on the screen move as if they flow in the directionindicated by an arrow 6010. When the user makes a flick operation to theright, icons displayed on the screen move as if they flow in thedirection indicated by an arrow 6020. The distance of movement isdetermined, for example, in accordance with the width of movement of thefingertip in the flick operation. The distance of movement may be aprescribed distance set in advance for one flick operation. If a mannerof display in which a plurality of icons are arranged on a virtualcylinder is adopted for icon display area 6200, it becomes possible todisplay the icons in an endless manner.

On memo display area 6400, a piece of maintenance information or thelike to be notified to every user of image forming apparatus 100 isdisplayed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the arrangement of icons on home screen image 6000shown in FIG. 6 will be described. As can be seen from FIG. 7, when homescreen image 6000 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on touch-panel display130, icon 6242 for selecting the copy mode is arranged in area A at thecenter, and icon 6244 for inclusively selecting the operational moderelated to image transmission is arranged immediately therebelow (on theside closest to the user). In a ring-shaped area B in which icon 6244 ispositioned, icons 6230, 6232, 6234, 6240, 6250, 6252 and 6254 fordirectly selecting an operational mode related to image transmission arearranged in concentric manner. It is also possible to arrange a group ofother icons in an area C outside area B.

As shown in FIG. 7, home screen image 6000 includes direct icons (icons6242, 6230, 6232, 6234, 6240, 6250, 6252 and 6254) causing directtransition to a screen image of the operational mode requested by theuser, and an inclusive icon (here, icon 6244) causing a transition to ascreen image of an operational mode (here, FAX mode) set in advance as amode related o image transmission displayed with priority among aplurality of paths for image transmission. With icon 6242 for making atransition to the copy mode displayed at the central area A, the iconsfor making a transition to the screen image of operational modes relatedto image transmission are provided in area B therearound, and theinclusive icon (here, icon 6244) among the icons related to imagetransmission is arranged on the lower side closest to the user (so thatother direct icons are not hidden by one's hand). Thus, an operationsetting path through which the final operational mode is selected fromthe inclusive icon as in the conventional MFP, and an operation settingpath for directly selecting an operational mode without any hardwarebutton as in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodimentare both provided. Therefore, both conventional users and new users canselect without confusion the operational mode of image forming apparatus100 in accordance with the present embodiment. Since the copy mode andthe mode related to image transmission providing different results ofoutput from image forming apparatus 100 are displayed broadly dividedfrom each other (with the copy mode arranged at the center and the modesrelated to image transmission arranged therearound), selection of anoperational mode does not cause any confusion. Since the inclusive iconallowing selection of an operational mode related to image transmissionwith the same feeling as in the conventional MFP is arranged on the sideof the user, the direct icons are not hidden by the user's hand butvisible when a conventional user operates the inclusive icon with thesame feeling as in the conventional apparatus. Therefore, the user maynotice the new option for operation (direct selection of an operationalmode). If the user notices and tries the new option, he/she will beaccustomed to the new manner of operation.

—Operation of Displaying Initial Screen Image in Each Operational Mode—

Copy Mode

If icon 6242 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isnot related to image transmission (NO at step S10050). Using the copyinitial screen image data read from HDD 302 or the like, the initialscreen image of copy mode is displayed on touch-panel display 130 (stepsS10080 and S10090). Here, an initial screen image for the copy mode isdisplayed on touch-panel display 130.

Mail Mode

If icon 6230 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isrelated to image transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it isdetermined not to be an inclusive designation (NO at step S10060), andusing mail mode initial screen image data read from HDD 302 or the like,the initial screen image for the mail mode is displayed on touch-paneldisplay 130 (steps S10080 and S10090). By way of example, an initialscreen image for the mail mode shown in FIG. 8 is displayed ontouch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 8, mail mode initial screenimage 7200 is divided into five areas of the layout described above, onwhich pieces of information are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 8, on system area 1000 of mail mode initial screenimage 7200, an area 1202 indicating the selected operational mode (here,mail mode), an area 1204 displaying sub information related to theselected operational mode, an area 1206 displaying the logged-in username, an area 1208 displaying a log-out button (software button), anarea 1214 displaying communication state, and an area 1216 indicatingthe current time, are arranged.

In area 1204, a key (software button) for adding a job is displayed, asthe sub information. If the interruption key is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, a process for designating a job to be added in the mailmode can be executed.

In function selecting area 2000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200,a function selection menu allowing selection by the user in the mailmode and the group of change buttons 2010 described above are displayed.In the screen image shown in FIG. 8, the function selection menu isdisplayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 8, the function selection menu displayed in the regularmode includes a group of icons 2200 and a group of texts 2220. In thefunction selection menu displayed on function selecting area 2000,corresponding to an icon 2202 for setting the color mode of a documentto be transmitted as an attachment file of a mail, a text 2222 showingthe set contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2204 for settingthe density of a document to be transmitted as an attachment file of amail, a text 2224 showing the set contents is displayed. Correspondingto an icon 2206 for setting the magnification of a document to betransmitted as an attachment file of a mail, a text 2226 showing the setcontents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2208 for setting thetype of a document to be transmitted as an attachment file of a mail, atext 2228 showing the set contents is displayed.

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

Further, in addition to the function selection menu, on functionselecting area 2000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, a button2240 for displaying an address book used for designating a mail address,a button 2242 for designating a mail subject, a button 2244 fordesignating a file to be attached to a mail, and a button 2246 forinputting a main body of a mail are displayed.

When button 2240 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, from address booksstored in image forming apparatus 100, only the destinations having mailaddresses stored are extracted and a resulting address book isdisplayed.

When button 2242 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a text inputscreen image is displayed, allowing input of a subject of the mail. Whenbutton 2244 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a file name designatingscreen image is displayed, allowing designation of a file name. Whenbutton 2246 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a text input screenimage is displayed, allowing input of a main body of the mail.

In preview area 3000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, an image ofexpected document output (finished form) 3200 is arranged. Here, image3200 is displayed using dummy data or scanned data. Every time the userchanges the function setting menu of function selecting area 2000, image3200 is changed and displayed on preview area 3000 (preview display ischanged).

In addition to image 3200, in preview area 3000 of mail mode initialscreen image 7200, a button 3202 for inputting a mail destination isdisplayed. When button 3202 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a textinput screen image is displayed, allowing direct input of a maildestination, or selection from an address book. Further, on preview area3000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, an area 3204 fordesignating the type of destination is displayed. The user operates area3204 to designate the type of transmission destination (address, CCaddress or BCC address).

In action panel area 4000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, piecesof information related to assistance, guidance and suggestion related tothe mail operation are displayed. As shown in FIG. 8, recommendedfunctions in the mail mode selected by the user are displayed. In actionpanel area 4000, an area 4200 showing the contents of displayedinformation, and areas 4202 to 4204 showing, as texts, the recommendedfunctions and serving as software buttons are arranged.

When area 4202 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed informationof multicast mail transmission is pulled-down and displayed. When area4204 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed information relatedto an operation of reducing the size of data to be attached to the mailis pulled-down and displayed. When area 4206 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, detailed information related to an operation of saving adocument to be transmitted attached to a mail in HDD 302 is pulled-downand displayed.

In task trigger area 5000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, agroup of execution buttons 5200 are displayed. The group of executionbuttons 5200 includes: a scan-in key (software button) 5202 foroperating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document and obtainimage data; a clear-all key (software button) 5204, for clearing setfunction or functions; and a transmission start key (software key) 5206for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document andtransmit it as an attachment to a mail.

If a user inputs a request (YES at step S10100) on mail mode initialscreen image 7200 displaying pieces of information in five divided areasas described above, a mail process is executed in accordance with therequest (step S10110).

Fax Mode

If icon 6234 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isrelated to image transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it isdetermined not to be the inclusive designation (NO at step S10060), andusing FAX initial screen image data read from HDD 302 or the like, theFAX mode initial screen image is displayed on touch-panel display 130(steps S10080 and S10090).

In image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the presentembodiment, the FAX mode is set in advance as the inclusive transmissionmode. When icon 6244 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double-tappedby the user, it is determined that an operational mode is selected (YESat step S10040), and that the selected operational mode is related toimage transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it is determined to bethe inclusive designation (YES at step S10060), and the operational modeset as the inclusive transmission mode (here, FAX mode) is obtained(step S10070). Using the FAX initial screen image data read from HDD 302or the like, the FAX mode initial screen image is displayed ontouch-panel display 130 (steps S10080 and S10090).

By way of example, an initial screen image 7300 for the FAX mode shownin FIG. 9 is displayed on touch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 9,FAX mode initial screen image 7300 is divided into five areas of thelayout described above, on which pieces of information are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 9, on system area 1000 of FAX mode initial screenimage 7300, an area 1302 indicating the selected operational mode (here,FAX mode), an area 1304 displaying sub information related to theselected operational mode, an area 1306 displaying the logged-in username, an area 1308 displaying a log-out button (software button), anarea 1310 displaying a volume adjustment button at the time of on-hook,an area 1312 displaying free memory space, an area 1314 displayingcommunication state, and an area 1316 indicating the current time, arearranged.

In area 1304, a key (software button) for adding a job is displayed, asthe sub information. If the interruption key is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, a process for designating a job to be added in the FAXmode can be executed.

When the volume adjustment button displayed in area 1310 is touched,tapped or double-tapped, a slide bar for adjusting volume at the time ofon-hook is displayed.

In function selecting area 2000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, afunction selection menu allowing selection by the user in the FAX modeand the group of change buttons 2010 described above are displayed. Inthe screen image shown in FIG. 9, the function selection menu isdisplayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 9, the function selection menu displayed in the regularmode includes a group of icons 2300 and a group of texts 2320. In thefunction selection menu displayed on function selecting area 2000,corresponding to an icon 2302 for setting the density of a FAX document,a text 2322 showing the set contents is displayed. Corresponding to anicon 2304 for setting the type of FAX document, a text 2324 showing theset contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2306 for imageedition, a text 2326 showing the set contents is displayed.Corresponding to an icon 2308 for layout edition, a text 2328 showingthe set contents is displayed. For an icon 2310 for displaying result ofFAX communication, corresponding text 2330 is displayed. For an icon2312 for printing information of FAX transmission source on a FAXdocument, corresponding text 2332 is displayed. For an icon 2314 fordisplaying information stored in a memory box, corresponding text 2334is displayed.

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

Further, in addition to the function selection menu, on functionselecting area 2000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, a button 2340for displaying an address book used to designate a telephone number ofFAX destination is displayed.

When button 2340 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, from address booksstored in image forming apparatus 100, only the destinations having FAXtelephone numbers stored are extracted and a resulting address book isdisplayed.

In preview area 3000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, an image ofexpected document output (finished form) 3300 is arranged. Here, image3300 is displayed using dummy data or scanned data. Every time the userchanges the function setting menu of function selecting area 2000, image3300 is changed and displayed on preview area 3000 (preview display ischanged).

In addition to image 3300, in preview area 3000 of FAX mode initialscreen image 7300, an area 3302 displaying an input FAX address and anarea 3304 displaying a message asking input of facsimile number aredisplayed. Further, in preview area 3000 of FAX mode initial screenimage 7300, an area 3306 for displaying numeric keys allowing input of atelephone number of FAX destination is displayed. The user operates thearea 3306 to input the telephone number of FAX address as thetransmission destination. If no FAX address is input, a button allowinginput of mail address is displayed on area 3302. By touching, tapping ordouble-tapping the button, a text input screen image is displayed,allowing direct input of mail address with numeric keys or selectionfrom an address book.

In action panel area 4000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, piecesof information related to assistance, guidance and suggestion related tothe FAX operation are displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, recommendedfunctions in the FAX mode selected by the user are displayed. In actionpanel area 4000, an area 4300 showing the contents of displayedinformation, and areas 4302 to 4306 showing, as texts, the recommendedfunctions and serving as software buttons are arranged.

When area 4302 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed informationof multicast FAX transmission is pulled-down and displayed. When area4304 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed information relatedto an operation of reducing the size of data to be transmitted by FAX ispulled-down and displayed. When area 4306 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, detailed information related to an operation of saving adocument to be transmitted by FAX in HDD 302 is pulled-down anddisplayed.

In task trigger area 5000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, a groupof execution buttons 5300 are displayed. The group of execution buttons5300 includes: a scan-in key (software button) 5302 for operating imageforming apparatus 100 to scan a document and obtain image data; aclear-all key (software button) 5304 for clearing set function orfunctions; a transmission start key (software button) 5306 for operatingimage forming apparatus 100 to scan a document and transmit it by FAX;and a check box 5308 used for designating direct transmission.

If a user inputs a request (YES at step S10100) on FAX mode initialscreen image 7300 displaying pieces of information in five dividedareas, a FAX process is executed in accordance with the request (stepS10110).

—i-FAX Mode—

If icon 6232 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isrelated to image transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it isdetermined not to be an inclusive designation (NO at step S10060), andusing i-FAX initial screen image data read from HDD 302 or the like, thei-FAX mode initial screen image is displayed on touch-panel display 130(steps S10080 and S10090). Here, by way of example, i-FAX mode initialscreen image 7400 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on touch-panel display130. As shown in FIG. 10, i-FAX mode initial screen image 7400 isdivided into five areas of the layout described above, on which piecesof information are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 10, on system area 1000 of i-FAX mode initial screenimage 7400, an area 1402 indicating the selected operational mode (here,i-FAX mode), an area 1404 displaying sub information related to theselected operational mode, an area 1406 displaying the logged-in username, an area 1408 displaying a log-out button (software button), anarea 1412 displaying free memory space, an area 1414 displayingcommunication state, and an area 1416 indicating the current time, arearranged.

On area 1404, a key (software button) for adding a job is displayed assub information. When the interruption key is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, a process for designating a job to be added in the i-FAXmode can be executed.

In function selecting area 2000 of i-FAX mode initial screen image 7400,the function selection menu allowing user selection in the i-FAX modeand the group of change buttons 2010 described above are displayed. Inthe screen image shown in FIG. 10, the function selection menu isdisplayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 10, the function selection menu displayed in theregular mode includes a group of icons 2400 and a group of texts 2420.In the function selection menu displayed on function selecting area2000, displayed are: an icon 2402 for setting the density of i-FAXdocument and a text 2422 showing the set contents; an icon 2404 settingthe type of i-FAX document and a text 2424 showing the set contents; anicon 2406 for image edition and a text 2426 showing the set contents; anicon 2408 for layout edition and a text 2428 showing the set contents;an icon 2410 showing the table of communication results of i-FAX and acorresponding text 2430; an icon 2412 showing resolution of i-FAX and acorresponding text 2432; and an icon 2414 showing i-FAX format and acorresponding text 2434. These setting items are examples and thedisplayed setting items differ depending on the image format usable inthe i-FAX mode of image forming apparatus 100 (the format defined, forexample, by RFC (Request For Comment) 2301, 2305 and 2532).

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

In addition to the function selection menu, on function selecting area2000 of i-FAX mode initial screen image 7400, a button 2440 fordisplaying an address book used for designating a mail address as thedestination of i-FAX is displayed.

When button 2440 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, from address booksstored in image forming apparatus 100, only the destinations having mailaddresses stored as i-FAX transmission destinations are extracted and aresulting address book is displayed.

In preview area 3000 of i-FAX mode initial screen image 7400, an imageof expected document output (finished form) 3400 is arranged. Here,image 3400 is displayed using dummy data or scanned data. Every time theuser changes the function setting menu of function selecting area 2000,image 3400 is changed and displayed on preview area 3000 (previewdisplay is changed).

In addition to image 3400, in preview area 3000 of i-FAX mode initialscreen image 7400, a button 3402 allowing input of i-FAX destination isdisplayed. When button 3402 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a textinput screen image is displayed, allowing direct input of i-FAXdestination or selection from the address book. Further, in preview area3000 of i-FAX mode initial screen image 7400, an area 3404 fordesignating items to be applied to the destination is displayed. Theuser operates the area 3404 to designate an item (i-FAX, direct SMTP)applied to transmission.

In action panel area 4000 of i-FAX mode initial screen image 7400,pieces of information related to assistance, guidance and suggestionrelated to the i-FAX operation are displayed. As shown in FIG. 10,recommended functions in the i-FAX mode selected by the user aredisplayed. In action panel area 4000, an area 4400 showing the contentsof displayed information, and an area 4402 showing, as text, therecommended functions and serving as software button are arranged. Whenarea 4402 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed information ofmanual reception of i-FAX is pulled-down and displayed.

In task trigger area 5000 of i-FAX mode initial screen image 7400, agroup of execution buttons 5400 are displayed. The group of executionbuttons 5400 includes: a scan-in key (software button) 5202 foroperating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document and obtainimage data; a clear-all key (software button) 5204, for clearing setfunction or functions; and a transmission start key (software key) 5206for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document and toperform the process of i-FAX transmission.

If a user inputs a request (YES at step S10100) on i-FAX mode initialscreen image 7400 displaying pieces of information in five divided areasas described above, an i-FAX process is executed in accordance with therequest (step S10110).

Shared Folder Mode

If icon 6254 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isrelated to image transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it isdetermined not to be an inclusive designation (NO at step S10060), andusing shared folder initial screen image data read from HDD 302 or thelike, the shared folder mode initial screen image is displayed ontouch-panel display 130 (steps S10080 and S10090). Here, by way ofexample, shared folder mode initial screen image 7500 shown in FIG. 11is displayed on touch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 11, sharedfolder mode initial screen image 7500 is divided into five areas of thelayout described above, on which pieces of information are displayed.The configuration of shared folder mode initial screen image 7500 shownin FIG. 11 will be described later.

Data Input Mode

If icon 6252 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isrelated to image transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it isdetermined not to be an inclusive designation (NO at step S10060), andusing data input initial screen image data read from HDD 302 or thelike, the data input mode initial screen image is displayed ontouch-panel display 130 (steps S10080 and S10090). Here, by way ofexample, data input mode initial screen image 7600 shown in FIG. 12 isdisplayed on touch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 12, data inputmode initial screen image 7600 is divided into five areas of the layoutdescribed above, on which pieces of information are displayed. Theconfiguration of data input mode initial screen image 7600 shown in FIG.12 will be described later.

FTP Mode

If icon 6240 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isrelated to image transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it isdetermined not to be an inclusive designation (NO at step S10060), andusing FTP initial screen image data read from HDD 302 or the like, theFTP mode initial screen image is displayed on touch-panel display 130(steps S10080 and S10090). Here, by way of example, FTP mode initialscreen image 7700 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on touch-panel display130. As shown in FIG. 13, FTP mode initial screen image 7700 is dividedinto five areas of the layout described above, on which pieces ofinformation are displayed. The configuration of FTP mode initial screenimage 7700 shown in FIG. 13 will be described later.

Desk Top Mode

If icon 6250 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefingertip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at step S10040), and that the selected operational mode isrelated to image transmission (YES at step S10050). Further, it isdetermined not to be an inclusive designation (NO at step S10060), andusing desk top initial screen image data read from HDD 302 or the like,the desk top mode initial screen image is displayed on touch-paneldisplay 130 (steps S10080 and S10090). Here, by way of example, desk topmode initial screen image 7800 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed ontouch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 14, desk top mode initialscreen image 7800 is divided into five areas of the layout describedabove, on which pieces of information are displayed. The configurationof desk top mode initial screen image 7800 shown in FIG. 14 will bedescribed later.

Screen Image Configuration

The configurations of shared folder mode initial screen image 7500 shownin FIG. 11, data input mode initial screen image 7600 shown in FIG. 12,FTP mode initial screen image 7700 shown in FIG. 13 and desk top modeinitial screen image 7800 shown in FIG. 14 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 11, on system area 1000 of shared folder mode initialscreen image 7500, an area 1502 indicating the selected operational mode(here, shared folder mode), an area 1506 displaying the logged-in username, an area 1508 displaying a log-out button (software button), anarea 1510 displaying current job status, an area 1512 displaying abutton (software button) related to the job status, an area 1514displaying communication status and an area 1516 indicating the currenttime, are arranged.

In area 1506, the status of currently executed job is displayed by anicon. If the job status is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailedinformation of job status is displayed. It is preferred to display abutton or the like to stop a selected job, in area 1512.

In function selecting area 2000 of shared folder mode initial screenimage 7500, a function selection menu allowing selection by the user inthe shared folder mode and the group of change buttons 2010 describedabove are displayed. In the screen image shown in FIG. 11, the functionselection menu is displayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 11, the function selection menu displayed in theregular mode includes a group of icons 2500 and a group of texts 2520.In the function selection menu displayed on function selecting area2000, displayed are: an icon 2502 for setting the details oftransmission conditions in the shared folder mode and a text 2522showing the set contents; an icon 2504 for setting the color mode in theshared folder mode and a text 2524 showing the set contents; an icon2506 for setting density in the shared folder mode and a text 2526showing the set contents; an icon 2508 for setting magnification in theshared folder mode and a text 2528 showing the set contents; an icon2510 for setting resolution in the shared folder mode and a text 2530showing the set contents; an icon 2512 for setting a format in theshared folder mode and a text 2532 showing the set contents; an icon2514 for setting a special function in the shared folder mode and a text2534 showing the set contents; and an icon 2516 for editing layout inthe shared folder mode and a text 2536 showing the set contents.

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

In preview area 3000 of shared folder mode initial screen image 7500, abutton 3502 is displayed for inputting a transmission destination in theshared folder mode. When button 3502 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, an area 3504 is displayed. The user operates the area3504 to designate information (folder name, user name and password) ofthe transmission destination.

In action panel area 4000 of shared folder mode initial screen image7500, pieces of information related to assistance, guidance andsuggestion related to the shared folder operation are displayed. Asshown in FIG. 11, recommended functions in the shared folder modeselected by the user are displayed. In action panel area 4000, an area4500 showing the contents of displayed information, and an area 4502showing, as text, the recommended function and serving as softwarebutton, are arranged. When area 4502 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, detailed information on the data that is being receivedis pulled-down and displayed.

In task trigger area 5000 of shared folder mode initial screen image7500, a group of execution buttons 5500 are displayed. The group ofexecution buttons 5500 includes: a scan-in key (software button) 5202for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document and obtainimage data; a clear-all key (software button) 5204, for clearing setfunction or functions; and a transmission start key (software button)5206 for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document andperform the process for shared-folder transmission.

If a user inputs a request (YES at step S10100) on shared folder modeinitial screen image 7500 displaying pieces of information in fivedivided areas as described above, a shared folder process is executed inaccordance with the request (step S10110).

In the following, differences from FIG. 11 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 12, on system area 1000 of data input mode initialscreen image 7600, an area 1602 indicating the selected operational mode(here, data input mode) is displayed. On preview area 3000 of data inputmode initial screen image 7600, an area 3604 for designating items to beapplied to the destination is displayed. The user operates the area 3604to designate items (E-mail, shared folder and direst SMTP) to be appliedto transmission. On action panel area 4000 of data input mode initialscreen image 7600, pieces of information related to assistance, guidanceand suggestion related to the data input operation are displayed. Asshown in FIG. 12, recommended functions in the data input mode selectedby the user are displayed. In action panel area 4000, an area 4600showing the contents of displayed information, and an area 4602 showing,as text, the recommended function and serving as software button, arearranged. When area 4602 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailedinformation related to setting of meta data is pulled-down anddisplayed.

If a user inputs a request (YES at step S10100) on data input modeinitial screen image 7600 displaying pieces of information in fivedivided areas as described above, a data input process is executed inaccordance with the request (step S10110).

Referring to FIG. 13, on system area 1000 of FTP mode initial screenimage 7700, an area 1702 indicating the selected operational mode (here,FTP mode) is displayed. On action panel area 4000 of FTP mode initialscreen image 7700, pieces of information related to assistance, guidanceand suggestion related to the FTP operation are displayed. As shown inFIG. 13, recommended functions in the FTP mode selected by the user aredisplayed. In action panel area 4000, an area 4700 showing the contentsof displayed information, and an area 4702 showing, as text, therecommended function and serving as software button, are arranged. Whenarea 4702 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed informationrelated to the data that is being received is pulled-down and displayed.

If a user inputs a request (YES at step S10100) on FTP mode initialscreen image 7700 displaying pieces of information in five divided areasas described above, an FTP process is executed in accordance with therequest (step S10110).

Referring to FIG. 14, on system area 1000 of desk top mode initialscreen image 7800, an area 1802 indicating the selected operational mode(here, desk top mode) is displayed.

If a user inputs a request (YES at step S10100) on desk top mode initialscreen image 7800 displaying pieces of information in five divided areasas described above, a desk top process is executed in accordance withthe request (step S10110).

—Change of Operational Mode in FAX Mode—

In the following, description will be given assuming that theoperational mode is FAX mode. The operation is the same in otheroperational modes related to image transmission. Specifically, when theuser touches an area indicating the present operational mode, a screenimage for changing the operational mode is popped up, allowingtransition to another operational mode related to image transmission.

Referring to FIG. 15, while the FAX mode initial screen image isdisplayed on touch-panel display 130, when area 1302 indicating that theFAX mode is selected is touched, tapped or double-tapped by the user, arequest for changing the operational mode related to image transmissionis detected (YES at step S10130). The request for changing theoperational mode is similarly detected when any of area 1202 of FIG. 8,area 1402 of FIG. 10, area 1502 of FIG. 11, area 1602 of FIG. 12, area1720 of FIG. 13 and area 1802 of FIG. 14 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped by the user (YES at step S10130). It is also possible todetermine that a request for changing the operational mode is detectedwhen an area other than the above is touched, tapped or double-tapped bythe user.

As shown in FIG. 16, screen image 7360 for changing operational mode isdisplayed, popped-up on touch-panel display 130 (step S10140). As can beseen from FIG. 16, on screen image 7360 for changing operational mode,operational modes related to image transmission provided in imageforming apparatus 100 are displayed as software buttons. Here, thecurrently selected operational mode may or may not be included in thedisplay. Further, on screen image 7360 for changing operational mode, anicon (×) for closing the pop-up screen image is also displayed.

If one of the operational modes related to image transmission displayedon screen image 7360 for changing operational mode is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped by the user, it is determined that an operational mode isselected (YES at step S10150), initial screen image data of the selectedoperational mode is read from HDD 302 or the like (step S10080), and theinitial screen image of the selected operational mode is displayed ontouch-panel display 130 (step S10090).

As described above, the image forming apparatus in accordance with thepresent embodiment is characterized in the following points: (1) in thehome screen image for selecting an operational mode, a direct iconallowing direct transition to a screen image of the operational moderequested by the user, and an inclusive icon causing transition to ascreen image of an operational mode (for example, FAX mode) set inadvance as a mode related to image transmission displayed with priorityor inclusively among a plurality of paths for image transmission areprovided; (2) while an icon allowing transition to the copy mode screenimage is displayed at the center, icons allowing transition to screenimages of operational modes related to image transmission are providedin the surrounding area, and the inclusive icon among the icons relatedto image transmission is arranged on the lower side closest to the user;and (3) in the condition setting screen image displayed when a moderelated to image transmission is selected, a software button or buttonsare provided, allowing transition to other modes related to imagetransmission (after transition to the operational mode with priorityusing the inclusive icon, transition is made to another operationalmode).

As a result, the following effects can be attained. (A) An operationsetting path in which transition to the FAX mode as a mode related toimage transmission is made through an inclusive icon (icon withpriority) and thereafter a mail mode as another mode related to imagetransmission is selected, similar to a hardware button in theconventional image forming apparatus, and an operation setting path inwhich an operational mode is directly selected without providing anyhardware button as in the image forming apparatus of the presentembodiment, are prepared. Therefore, both conventional users and newusers can select without confusion the operational mode of image formingapparatus in accordance with the present embodiment. (B) Since the copymode and the mode related to image transmission are displayed broadlydivided from each other, selection of an operational mode does not causeany confusion. (C) The inclusive icon allowing selection of anoperational mode related to image transmission with the same feeling asin the conventional image forming apparatus is arranged close to theuser side. Therefore, when a user of a conventional apparatus operatesthe inclusive icon with the same feeling as for the conventionalapparatus, the direct icons are not hidden by the user's hand butvisible. As a result, the user can recognize the new option of operation(direct selection of an operational mode). When the user notices andtries the new option, he/she will be accustomed to the new manner ofoperation.

<Modification>

In the embodiment above, it is described that transition can be madefrom an operational mode related to image transmission to anotheroperational mode related to image transmission directly (not through thehome screen image). A configuration allowing transition from anoperational mode related to image transmission to another operationalmode not related to image transmission directly (not through the homescreen image), a configuration allowing transition from an operationalmode not related to image transmission to another operational moderelated to image transmission directly (not through the home screenimage), a configuration allowing transition from an operational mode notrelated to image transmission to another operational mode not related toimage transmission directly (not through the home screen image), and aconfiguration allowing transition from an operational mode that is beingselected to another operational mode, regardless of the type ofoperational modes, directly and not through the home screen image, mayalso be possible.

The embodiments as have been described here are mere examples and shouldnot be interpreted as restrictive. The scope of the present invention isdetermined by each of the claims with appropriate consideration of thewritten description of the embodiments and embraces modifications withinthe meaning of, and equivalent to, the languages in the claims.

1. An operation console provided on an apparatus as an object of controloperating in a mode selected by a user from a plurality of modes,comprising: a display device displaying a plurality of information itemscorresponding to said plurality of modes, aligned considering eitherpriority of the modes or difference in output from the apparatus as theobject of control; a detector arranged superposed on said displaydevice, for detecting a mode selected by the user based on aninformation item displayed at a position touched by a fingertip of theuser; and a display controller controlling said display device.
 2. Theoperation console according to claim 1, wherein said modes include twoor more communication modes; and said display controller includes acircuit displaying an information item allowing selection of one of thecommunication modes given priority among the two or more communicationmodes, and a plurality of information items allowing selection of any ofsaid two or more communication modes.
 3. The operation console accordingto claim 2, wherein said display controller further includes a circuitfor switching a screen image when a communication mode with priority isselected, to display a condition setting screen image in the selectedcommunication mode, and a circuit for displaying an information itemallowing transition to another communication mode on said conditionsetting screen image.
 4. The operation console according to claim 1,wherein said modes include a non-communication mode and two or morecommunication modes; and said display controller includes a circuit fordisplaying a first information item allowing selection of thenon-communication mode and a plurality of second information itemsallowing selection of a communication mode, and a circuit for displayingsaid second information items aligned around said first informationitem.
 5. The operation console according to claim 4, wherein saiddisplay controller includes a circuit for displaying a third informationitem allowing selection of one communication mode with priority amongthe two or more communication modes, and a plurality of fourthinformation items allowing selection of any of said two or morecommunication modes, as said second information items.
 6. The operationconsole according to claim 5, wherein said display controller includes acircuit displaying said third information item at a position closer tothe user than said fourth information item.
 7. The operation consoleaccording to claim 5, wherein said display controller includes a circuitfor displaying said third and fourth information items such that saidfourth information item is not hidden by the user's hand touching saidthird information item.
 8. The operation console according to claim 1,wherein said display device and said detector are implemented by atouch-panel display.
 9. An electronic device provided with the operationconsole according to claim
 1. 10. An image processing apparatus providedwith the operation console according to claim
 1. 11. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein difference in outputfrom the image processing apparatus as said apparatus as the object ofcontrol is difference between print output on a sheet of recording paperand transmission output of data.
 12. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said communication mode is an imagecommunication mode; and when two or more communication modes areprovided, said communication modes have different communication paths.13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein saidcommunication mode is an image communication mode; and when acommunication mode with priority is provided among two or morecommunication modes, the communication mode with priority is a mode setby the user.
 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10,wherein said communication mode is an image communication mode; and whena non-communication mode is included in said modes, saidnon-communication mode is an image forming mode.
 15. A method ofdisplaying information on an operation console provided on an apparatusas an object of control operating in a mode selected by a user from aplurality of modes, comprising: the display step of displaying, on adisplay panel, a plurality of information items corresponding to saidplurality of modes, aligned considering either priority of the modes ordifference in output from the apparatus as the object of control; andthe detecting step of detecting, using a touch-panel arranged superposedon said display panel, a mode selected by the user based on aninformation item displayed at a position touched by a fingertip of theuser.